Kerrin McEvoy: Champion Australian and International Jockey

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Kerrin McEvoy was born 24th October 1980 in Streaky Bay, South Australia. McEvoy comes from an extensive racing heritage, even though Streaky Bay is quite a jog from Adelaide. Dad Phillip and Uncles Anthony and Peter were all jockeys. McEvoy’s grandfather on his mum’s side, Bill Howard, was a successful trainer and dad and Uncles apprenticed with him. Uncle Anthony rode successfully until his weight became prohibitive, but is best known as Tony McEvoy, trainer of 2003 Cox Plate winner Fields of Omagh.

Kerrin has 3 siblings that are also hoops. Kerrin is the most successful of the clan, if that understatement can be excused, and implying no slight whatsoever to the others.

Kerrin, like his dad and uncles, apprenticed with Holland. After a brief stint in 1997, he moved on to Adelaide, worked briefly for Russel Cameron, landing finally with Peter Hayes.

In 1999, included moving to Hayes’s Flemington operation where he received his full license to inaugurate the 2000-2001 season. At this time he decided to go out on his own as a free lancer.

McEvoy wasted little time serving notice to the racing community that a force with which to be reckoned was on the scene, becoming the second youngest in history to win the Emirates Melbourne Cup. He steered bay gelding Brew, despite some of that horse’s connections displeasure over a rookie jockey, and subsequent to Chris Munce declining the ride, to a 14-1 payday, at the same time leaving no others than Jim Cassidy and Glen Boss in his wake.

In Autumn of the same year McEvoy brought home the Blue Diamond Stakes astride True Jewels.

The following two seasons show 104 and 94 wins, respectively, and at that point, if what had already transpired were to be discounted, McEvoy’s career gained impetus.

The 2002-2003 season highlight was a four win day on Dubai Racing Club Cup day, including a Group 1 win at 1400 metres on Pernod at Caulfield Racecourse in September 2002.

This feat earned him an opportunity to ride in Dubai, a ride on Godolphin trained Beekeeper in the 2002 Melbourne Cup that produced a third and an additional six weeks of work in Dubai. Even with this time away from Australian turf, McEvoy was able to secure the Victorian Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership for that season. He was also honoured as the recipient of a Scobie Beasley Medal.

Some of his career statistics to date, along with the necessary disclaimer that these stats will likely be exceeded in short order:

McEvoy for sure has influenced the blood fees for some of his mounts. He rode Denman, son of Octagonal to 12 wins, produced 10 wins on the mare Purple, and has no less than 15 other horses that account for 6 or more each.

A broken back sustained by McEvoy at Gosford in June of 2010 could have been the close to his career. He did recover in time for November’s Melbourne Cup 2010 edition, riding Campanologist for Godolphin, but only managed to come in 16th out of 24 runners.

McEvoy has produced 44 winners for the current season, which would be acceptable for lesser jockeys, but it represents something of a slump for McEvoy. His season shows no Group 1 wins to date, but with the Spring Carnival and its major events looming, McEvoy is sure to find punters willing, eager even, to back him. It’s likely he would draw short odds even without a ride.